Shun the H1N1

The hot topic in the news now is the H1N1 or Swine Flu virus, causing a lot of undue panic. Fewer deaths are attributed to H1N1 than to the regular seasonal flu. I have been unable to take flu vaccines, because of an allergy to eggs. Since I improved my immune system 14 years ago by eating a raw vegan diet, I have not gotten the flu or colds, which are also viral infections. As a nurse working in the hospital with exposure to many patients, staff and visitors who were sick with colds and flu, I did not contract these illnesses because I kept my immune system strong. The antioxidants in unprocessed fruits and vegetables boost the immune system.

The last time there was a Swine Flu outbreak, was in the mid 70’s. Anyone born before this probably has immunity to H1N1. Children and pregnant women probably do not have immunity if they were born after this. This is one of the reasons the government is pushing vaccine on children and pregnant women. The Swine Flu vaccine that was produced in 1976 had neurological side effects. One in 80,000 developed symptoms of Guillain-Barre after this vaccine, which can be a fatal disease.

The Daily Mail reported that the Government has sent a warning about the new swine flu vaccine being linked to a deadly nerve disease, to senior neurologists in a confidential letter. The letter from the Health Protection Agency, the official body that oversees public health, has been leaked to The Daily Mail, leading to demands to know why the information has not been given to the public before the vaccination of millions of people, including children, begins. It tells the neurologists that they must be alert for an increase in a brain disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), which could be triggered by the vaccine. GBS attacks the lining of the nerves, causing paralysis and inability to breath, and can be fatal.

There are pediatricians and doctors that are not in favor of children or adults taking this vaccine because of the possible side effects and the fact that it has not been tested just as the previous vaccine in the mid 70’s. There are some employees of the CDC who have stated that they will not take this vaccine. Many people have already been exposed to the H1N1 virus since the present outbreak and those with a depressed immune system have probably already gotten sick and are now immune.

High levels of toxicity in the body are the root cause of most common diseases and illness. This includes conditions such as the common cold, flues, viruses, infections, allergies, asthma, and others; this over abundance of toxins helps create adrenal fatigue, overloads the liver and kidneys (the body’s primary toxic elimination organs) and generally depresses the immune system, thus allowing a variety of harmful microorganisms and viruses to proliferate. These organisms in turn put a tremendous burden on the body, drain it of energy and create the disease conditions listed above. A primary source of toxicity for most people is their food.

What parents can do is what they should normally do to keep their kids and themselves healthy: Keep a healthy immune system, wash hands frequently, sanitize the house, keep kids with fevers at home and away from others until they’re without a fever for a least 24 hours, make sure everyone in the family is getting adequate sleep of 8 hours per night, and eating healthy.

Eating healthy is the most important and includes a diet of many raw fruits and vegetables nuts and seeds, which are loaded with anti-oxidants. Eat whole food, and eliminate processed food, especially sugar from the diet. Sugar depresses the immune system. Glucose and Vitamin C have similar chemical structures and they compete with each other to be transported to all cells by insulin. If there is more glucose around, there is going to be less vitamin C allowed into the cell. It doesn’t take much: a blood sugar value of 120 reduces the immune system by 75%. Vitamin C is needed for healthy immune cells. Short-term elevated blood sugar affects all major components of immunity and impairs the ability of the individual to fight infection. The white blood cells are the primary mediators of the immune response and act as an important first-line-of-defense in the immune system by engulfing bacteria and viruses. Elevated blood sugar has been shown to decrease white blood cell activity to engulf these pathogens. Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables can boost the immune system.

Around the holidays, when people eat more sugary foods and refined carbohydrates, there is a direct and unfavorable effect on immune function. In addition, the stress of the holiday season can also have detrimental effects on the immune response. The increased consumption of sugar beginning with Halloween candies, lasting through the holidays of Thanksgiving, and on until the New Year. Diets are deficient in nutrition this time of year, depressing the immune system and are one of the reasons why we have the “flu season”. During an average cold & flu season, Americans have up to 1 billion colds each year. Between 10-20% of the population will contract the flu annually and many will need to be hospitalized. Taking measures to prevent all flu will also prevent colds.

Reducing fat in the diet is also important because it influences how well the immune system works. Diets that are high in fat depress the immune response and thus increase the risk of infections. Reducing fat content in the diet can increase immune activity. This might not just affect infections but could also strengthen the type of immune cells, which can fight tumor cells. However, it is not just the amount of fat that is important but also its origin. It is important to include Omega 3 fatty acids found in flax seeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and other vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Regular consumption of probiotics or fermented foods such as coconut kefir and veggie-kraut may enhance the immune defenses in the gut. Recent research results suggest that Lactic Bacteria (called probiotics) may have a beneficial effect on the immune system. Immune system maintenance requires a steady intake of all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Dairy products can cause mucous and lactose intolerance, digestive disturbance and are best eliminated. Making sure the diet has enough Vitamin D or exposure to sunlight, which improves the immune system, can be a problem during the winter. Exercising by taking a walk in the sunshine is good for boosting the immune system.  Drinking adequate water or eating juicy fruit and vegetables is important. Adding super foods such as Blue green Algae, wheat or barley grass, sea vegetables, probiotics and digestive enzymes can combat the stress of the holidays and strengthen the immune system.

The tests for H1N1 cost approximately $200, and now physicians and are not testing those who have the symptoms of H1N1. The treatment is the same as any virus. Many of the children who died from H1N1 had either preexisting conditions or got bacterial infections on top of the viral infections. The bacterial infections that were identified included:  Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus. Many children are being treated with antibiotics as a precaution for the secondary bacterial infections. Viral infections are not treated with antibiotics. After being treated with antibiotics it is important to replace the beneficial lactic bacteria to normalize the digestive tract. These healthy bacteria break down fiber and create nutrients.

When a child goes to the pediatrician, the parents are sent home and told to keep the sick child well hydrated and rested. If a child or adult, sick with any virus, has a high fever and is unable to drink fluids and is not voiding, they are severely dehydrated. This is a serious condition, which can result in kidney failure leading to death. Hydration and keeping the fever down are both very important with sick children.

Some children have succumbed to an influenza virus this year according to the CDC and 67% had high-risk medical conditions, including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and other neuro-developmental disorders and some had a secondary bacterial infection.

The H1N1 death of an otherwise healthy child can put fear into parents for their own healthy children.  The reality is that most children who contract H1N1 get sick, but they don’t die.  Many fewer deaths are attributed to H1N1 than the regular seasonal flu:  on an average year, around 36,000 people in the US die from the seasonal flu; as of the end of September, around 4,000 people have died from H1N1 worldwide.

It is important to take kids with high fevers and coughs to the doctor for treatment. Parents should watch closely for additional symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, discoloration of the lips, extreme drowsiness, crankiness or fussiness in infants, or not drinking enough fluids. Keeping them well hydrated is most important. Young coconut water is great because it is loaded with minerals and has natural sugar for their caloric needs. Keeping the diet light with a lot of fruits and vegetables and juice is the best diet for decreasing stress to the body while it heals. The media hype surrounding H1N1 is enough to scare any parent into wanting a vaccination to protect themselves and their kids from this flu.  Before doing that, parents should be vigilant in researching the vaccines and their possible side effects. Prevention with a healthy diet and immune system for the whole family should be the priority.

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Love and Peace,

Jackie Graff